The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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COMMITMENT PROFILE "He's only been here for two years, his sophomore and junior year," head coach Danny O'Dea said. "When I came in, I just looked at him and said, 'If he puts his effort in, he'll be a major college recruit.' He had the length, build and athleticism to be exactly what everybody needs. He's taken huge leaps and bounds as a football player, and that's a testament to his work ethic." Newsome will be able to focus that work ethic fully into improve- ment on the field, now that the re- cruiting process is behind him. He plans to finish his high school career with a bang before moving on to college. "I'm really excited to be able to have this process behind me and be able to focus on my last year of high school football," he explained. "I'm doing everything I can to help my team go undefeated and do the best we possibly can. "The only thing it's all about now is continuing to work out, to get faster, stronger and quicker, and perfecting my game as much as I possibly can to help my team." Newsome is the No. 21 offensive tackle nationally and the No. 199 overall player in the country, ac- cording to Rivals.com. He is also the fourth-best prospect in the state of New Jersey. He is the second offen- sive lineman to join Michigan's class, along with Philadelphia St. Joseph's Prep three-star Jon Runyan Jr. He's expecting to have a slightly different role than Runyan (a likely interior lineman), manning the left tackle spot in Ann Arbor. "I'm going to play wherever they want to play me and wherever I can help the team," Newsome said. "I think that's completely up to [of- fensive line] Coach [Darrell] Funk and Coach [and offensive coordina- tor Doug] Nussmeier, and wherever they want me to play, I'm happy to play there. Coach Funk and Coach Nussmeier have said that they see me at left tackle because of my length and athleticism. It's all going to de- pend on who's healthy and where the spots are available." Michigan's depth situation — the Wolverines brought in four offensive linemen in the 2012 class and six in 2013 — should allow Newsome to redshirt, continue molding his body, and prepare for the rigors of Big Ten play. With a year or two of season- ing, and his dedication to improving his game, he should make it tough to keep him off the field. — Tim Sullivan Grant Newsome "Coach Funk and Coach Nussmeier have said that they see me at left tackle because of my length and athleticism. It's all going to depend on who's healthy and where the spots are available."